by Toni Cox
“Of course. Aaron, you and your children are welcome. Any friends of Maia are welcome here. But let us not stand on the balcony. Come in and I will make you all some tea.”
Malyn smiled at them all before turning towards the house.
Jagaer nodded to Aaron and then waited for him to go first. Hesitantly, Aaron followed Malyn into the house.
Maia took Jasmin’s hand and, followed by Luke, Jaik and Silas, they made their way into her home.
Their house was not as high up as some of the other houses; the lower level was only about twenty paces off the ground, but it was the grandest, as befit their royal rank. The house was solely for personal use though; official matters were dealt with in the Elder Hall or the House of the Guardians. Their home had a large, circular common room with a big, round fireplace in the middle surrounded by low benches and tables. An alcove opened up from the common room to lead to a space where they gathered for meals, which in turn opened to a kitchen. Two bedrooms, one of which was her parents with a washroom attached, the storage room and a pantry also led off the main oval-shaped room. A staircase ran up to a narrow balcony that circled the common room all the way around. The doors that led off the balcony belonged to Maia’s and Jaik’s bedrooms, as well as their shared washroom.
The house smelled like freshly baked bread and flowers. Vases with fresh flowers stood on almost every table. Malyn had decorated every open space with large tapestries depicting mainly horses, but a few with other animals and forest scenes. The floor was covered with a multitude of woven mats and various animal furs. Cushions in a range of colours and fabrics littered the sitting area around the fireplace. Crystal lanterns hung on the walls and candles occupied every level surface of the house.
Malyn loved candles. Although she was the wife of Lord Longshadow and had duties relating to the running of the clan, she also worked as a Potter. It was her passion, her elemental magic being Earth, and she had made thousands of little candle pots, vases and containers in her lifetime, which she mostly traded for other goods. Many of them also found their way here, some of which were even filled with soil and contained Lumina flowers, closed and dull at the moment.
They went to sit around the fireplace, while Malyn busied herself with making tea for everyone. Maia gave her a hand, as it seemed Biandala, their Server, had the day off.
Luke and Jasmin gazed around eagerly, trying to take everything in. They had never seen a room as richly decorated as this one. On Earth, excess was frowned upon. Their home had been plain, but functional. Decorations were not something that was important to them and Aaron had always preferred the minimalist look. Jasmin liked the warmth of Maia’s home and immediately felt comfortable. Aaron was sitting on the edge of his seat, clearly uncomfortable. He felt like he did not fit in here.
Maia watched Aaron out of the corner of her eye. He sat with a stiff back, staring at the fireplace. He only briefly looked up when Malyn handed him his cup of tea. Maia was a little annoyed. This should have been a happy moment for her. Why was he always so rude? Luke and Jasmin were friendly and appreciated their hospitality, why couldn’t he?
“I was beginning to think that some handsome stranger from Earth had caught your eye and you were never coming back,” Malyn said as she sat down next to her daughter. “I am so glad to have you back.”
Maia shuddered at how close she had come to the truth.
It was dark by the time they had recounted the events of the past few days to her mother. Maia was surprised at how easily her mother dealt with the fact that she now had a family. In fact, she had been delighted to find out that she had grandchildren. Jaik laughed until Maia jabbed her elbow into his ribs to shut him up.
There had been tense moments when they discussed the fact they were all Elves. Aaron struggled to believe it, especially the fact that they were actually on another planet and had supposedly travelled across the universe to get here. Jasmin, however, thought it was wonderful and then Silas had referred to some earlier conversation he had with Aaron, and he had not said anything further. Maia wondered what Silas had told him.
Malyn served them roast vegetables and hare for their evening meal. They sat around their large, round table, candles burning in the middle. Jagaer was next to Aaron, asking him question after question about their planet. Maia felt sorry for him, but as she remembered so little from her time there, she was also listening.
The more Aaron talked, the more he seemed to enjoy himself. He looked confidant and, for the first time since they had arrived, looked like he was in control of his emotions. Maia was fascinated with the change. He was friendlier than she had seen him since she had woken up and for the first time his Life-Force did not assault her with animosity. He even laughed a few times and Maia noticed the small dimples in his cheeks when he smiled. He almost looked handsome.
The thought made her blush. Why did it make her feel so strange? She had been annoyed with him only a short while ago, but now he seemed charming and nice. He was a different man. Was this the man she had fallen in love with while she was on Earth? Could she still love him now? She thought of the few words they had exchanged on their way here. He had not been nice to her, but maybe he was simply hurt. Maybe it was Maia’s fault that he was angry all the time. He certainly seemed happy to be talking to her father. Confused, she picked at her food. Suddenly she was not hungry any more. She let the conversation wash over her and only noticed that everyone had finished when Malyn took her plate.
As always, she had noticed Maia’s absentmindedness and drawn her own conclusions. It was Malyn that now allocated the sleeping quarters to their guests and showed them where they could wash up for the night. She also gave them clothes to sleep in and promised them some fresh clothes for the morning. She gave the extra bedroom to Aaron and Luke to share and told Jasmin she could sleep in Maia’s room. It was clear she had no intention of letting Maia’s ‘husband’ sleep in the same room as her.
Maia breathed a sigh of relief.
Exhausted, her guests said their good-nights and retired. Silas left and her parents came to sit with her next to the dying fire. Then, when it was clear that Maia did not feel like talking, they too retired to their private quarters. Jaik stayed with her for a while and they talked a little of inconsequential stuff like siblings often do, but then he said his good-nights, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
She sat there, staring at the embers. Questions chased each other around in her head, seeking answers she could not think of. Why had all this happened to her? Would they be able to find a way home for the Humans? How long would it take them to find a solution? What were they going to do with their guests until then? And how did she deal with the fact that she now had a husband and children? Did she have to start treating Aaron like her mate, with everything that such a relationship entailed? She shuddered.
Sighing, she rose from the bench and climbed the few steps to the washroom. At this hour, the boilers would not be heated and there was no warm water. However, the night was mild and the cold shower cleared her head a bit. She scrubbed and scrubbed, trying to wash her worries away, but she could not stop thinking about the repercussions her actions would bring. Maia dried herself and then, wrapped in her towel, tiptoed into her room.
Jasmin was fast asleep on her bed. In the pale moonlight coming through the window, Maia noticed how peaceful her face appeared in sleep. She was truly a pretty girl; her shoulder-length blonde hair was cut into a bob, which accentuated her heart-shaped face. Not for the first time, Maia wondered what she had looked like as Lisa. Did she also have blonde hair? She shook her head; she did not want to think about it now. What she needed, was a distraction.
Cautiously, she opened her trunk, as quietly as possible, and dug out some clothes. With the bundle of clothes under her arm, she closed the door to the bedroom and dressed in the common room. It felt good to be wearing her familiar tan coloured suede pants. They were soft and supple and allowed her free movement. The shirt she had taken off the t
op of the pile was one of her favourites, of light cotton. The neckline had a V-shape and could be closed with string. What made it so unusual and the reason it was her favourite, was that it was as black as Midnight. It had been a gift from her father. She left the string around the neck undone and pulled on her knee high boots. She would need sturdy footwear, for she planned to walk for a while.
The thought had come to her while she was in the shower and now, ready to go, she felt the excitement build within her. She was almost shaking when she signalled Wolf to stay and stepped out into the night.
The city around her was quiet. The moons were already at their highest and would soon start their descent towards the morning. The crystal lanterns were shuttered this time of night, only the guard lights on the outskirts of the city were still burning. She stepped confidently in the dark. She knew every step, every staircase and bridge, and it only took her moments before she reached the upper path that led into the forest.
Here there were no more lights, but potted Lumina marked the path periodically, guiding her through the trees and over the ridge. The Grazing Grounds were separated from the village by this low, forested ridge, which ran along the southern side of the city.
A handful of houses nestled on the edge of the forest on the far side of the ridge. The men and women of the Horse Guard lived there, tending to the stables and their horses. Their riding geldings were stabled here all year round, but during foaling season, the mares would come to give birth to their offspring and Maia had often spent her time here, giving the Horse Masters a hand during that busy time.
Now, however, foaling season was over and the stables were quiet when she reached them. She took in the smell of dry hay and horses and quietly walked down the line of stables, patting the horses’ soft muzzles as she went by. The night guard sat on a low stool at the far end. He nodded silently, but he did not challenge her. Although she had been gone a long while, it was not unusual for her to come through this way in the middle of the night and he let her pass without comment.
She carried on walking beyond the enclosed paddocks and on towards the open fields. They were vast, encompassing four separate forested areas, with three small rivers flowing through them. The herd was split into separate groups, each led by one of the stallions. The clan’s horses were the finest in the world and they took great pride in them; they were their livelihood. People came from all over the globe to trade for these horses.
As Maia approached the first crop of trees, she whistled, then listened. Nothing. She carried on walking, making her way through the small forest. Then she whistled again; this time she was rewarded with a snort and a whinny.
A grey silhouette separated from the darkness and eyed her suspiciously. It was Cloud, her father’s great white stallion. She whistled again, the way her father did when he called his horse, and Cloud’s ears pricked forward and he trotted over to her to stick his head beneath her arms looking for a treat. She smiled; he had always been a charmer. She patted his neck and rubbed his ears, but moved on. He was not what she was looking for.
Maia walked another hour until she came to a small lake surrounded by trees. The light of the moons was reflecting off the water and she could just make out the shapes of more horses on the far side. She whistled. Heads rose to look in her direction.
Then an eerie scream pierced the stillness of the night and from the cover of the trees a great stallion raced towards her, splashing through the shallow waters at the edge of the lake. He did not reduce his speed as he neared; ears pricked forwards, nostrils flaring. Just as it seemed that he would crash into Maia and flatten her into the ground, he put his great hind legs underneath him and came to a sliding stop mere inches from her, throwing great clods of turf into the air. Maia had not moved a muscle. Instinct screamed at her to get out of the way, but familiarity told her that he would never hurt her.
“I am glad to see you too, Fire,” she said.
He snorted and Maia threw her arms around his neck, breathing in his warm musky smell. She had missed him. She felt him trembling and knew he felt the same. Maia let go of his neck, grabbed hold of his mane and swung her right leg over his back. He was a big horse, his withers standing more than a hand’s width above her head, but she had practiced this many times and was glad she could still do it after her long absence.
“Let’s go, Fire.”
Before she had even finished speaking, Fire was already on the move, his great muscles bunching up to propel him at incredible speed across the earth. The wind whipped his long mane into her face, stinging her eyes. Maia leant further down onto his neck, revelling in his speed and power. Soon they left his herd far behind, but Maia knew his lead mare was more than capable of looking after them while he was away.
He seemed to be able to run forever and, only when the moons sank behind the mountains and the sun started to rise in the east, did he halt along the bank of a river. Two rivers merged here. The Fenithr River ran through the Grazing Grounds, and then merged here with the Odal River, which came off the mountains to flow through the Silver Forest. Exhausted but happy, Maia slid from his back.
They both drank from the crystal clear water of the Fenithr River, before it merged with the murkier water that flowed from the city. Then she went to stand underneath the oak tree that stood at the point where the rivers met.
It was one of her favourite places. During the day, one had a clear view along the valley and could just make out the city at the far end of it. With the sun just rising behind her now, it picked out the features of the valley in sharp relief and she thought she saw sunlight glinting off metal or glass in the city. People would start rising soon and city life would begin for the day.
Yet Maia did not feel ready to gp back just yet; too many problems awaited her there. Although so far no one had voiced their disapproval with her yet, she knew it was coming. She was sure Silas and her father would call a meeting with the Elders to discuss the problem. And she was so tired; she had not slept at all last night. Maybe her responsibilities could wait a little longer. She curled up in the hollow against the tree and closed her eyes. Fire grazed nearby and she knew he would wake her should anything happen.
When Maia woke, the sun was already standing high overhead. It was still pleasantly cool in the shade of the tree, but she could see the heat shimmering out on the plain. Fire stood next to her, dozing, also having sought the shelter of the great oak. It was time to go back; she had to face her responsibilities and deal with them.
But first, she would go for a wash in the river; the water would be cool and fresh. Fire joined her and Maia laughed at him splashing about, the water darkening his deep-copper coat until it looked almost black. Wet and refreshed, they made their way back.
Riding, it took them only a short time to get to Shadow Hall. They followed the river east, hugging its contours as they went. It was not unusual for her to be away an entire night, but having only just arrived back home after her long absence, she did now feel a little guilty. Malyn would have to look after her guests, and although her mother enjoyed visitors, Maia knew she also had responsibilities during the day. She was the wife of a clan leader after all.
Maia urged Fire into a trot; his long strides ate up the distance. At this pace, he could go all day without tiring. Their horses’ endurance was legendary, but even so, a full-out gallop could only be sustained for about an hour.
Too soon, they reached the shelter of the Silver Forest; the white trunks of the birch trees gleamed with the reflection of sunlight on the river. It was a small forest, maybe six to seven hundred paces wide and about twice that long. It ran along the centre of the horseshoe the city formed, and within it were the Beekeepers, the Weavers, the Dressmakers, the Chandlers and the Potters workshops, plus many more. Other workshops that either created too much noise, like the Smithy, or created smells, like the Tannery, were kept further away from the city.
Maia had always liked the Tannery. A few centuries back, her ancestors had developed
a new method of curing and tanning the hides, and the process was now much faster and cleaner. When she was young, she had spent many hours there and had learned to cure and tan her own hides. She was especially good at making suede, a trade she had perfected with the help of her grandmother. The pants she wore now were made from skins she had prepared herself.
When they reached the first workshop, Maia dismounted and bade Fire to return to his herd. Maia probably wouldn’t need him in the next few days, as she would have to deal with her guests, so there was no point in keeping him here. He nuzzled Maia, blew softly into her hair, then turned and left the way they had come. Maia gazed after him for a moment, and then made her way home.
It was past midday when she stepped through the entrance. She found Luke and Jasmin on the cushions around the fireplace, playing with Wolf. He wagged his tail when she walked in, but was more interested in the bone Luke was teasing him with.
Jasmin wore some of Maia’s old clothes and they fitted her well. Luke wore some of Jaik’s clothes, but he was much thinner than Jaik and the clothes hung loose on him. Malyn had promised them she would arrange for clothes to be made for them so they could have their own while they were here. In the meantime, these would have to suffice. Luke and Jasmin were fascinated with their new clothes, never having worn anything that came from an actual animal or plant; all their clothes on Earth had been from man-made materials. Maia was unsure of what man-made materials were made of, but accepted Jasmin’s statement.
“You should have heard Dad complain about the clothes.” Luke laughed. “He said he looked ridiculous in leather pants, but Malyn had taken the suits away to be washed, so he didn’t have a choice but to wear them.”
“And your mother gave him this loose fitting white shirt, which made him look like some hero out of a romance novel.” Jasmin added, laughing as well. “And then your father asked him to accompany him on a tour of the city. Papa’s face was blood red when they left.”
